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A fearless competitor, Lin Jong has forged a reputation as an explosive, clearance player since arriving at the Club as a rookie in late 2011.

Jong surpassed expectations in his first AFL season to not only make his senior debut but to also make an impact at senior level.

Jong joined the Bulldogs with their first selection (pick 9) in the 2011 AFL Rookie Draft, and was elevated to the Club's senior list at the end of 2014.

Playing a career high 16 games in 2016, Jong's finals hopes were cruelled by a broken collarbone suffered in the second quarter of the Elimination Final.

Jong would return to the field in 2016, but not at senior level, with the tough as nails midfielder returning from injury to play in the Footscray Bulldogs' VFL Grand Final victory, receiving the Norm Goss medal as the best afield.

Jong is a two-time VFL premiership player with the Footscray Bulldogs.

Season

Season by Season

Season in short

Lin Jong’s season came to an abrupt end during the Dogs’ Round 13 loss to Melbourne when he sustained an ACL injury and was forced to undergo a traditional reconstruction in order to repair the tear.

Jong’s start to 2017 was strong; he played all 12 AFL matches before going down with the injury, averaging 18.9 disposals, 4.4 tackles and 2.7 marks per contest.

Jong’s best match came in Round 2 against Sydney when he gathered 23 possessions, 8 marks and seven tackles. He had a career high 14 tackles against Collingwood in Round One.

Stat that mattered:

Jong played his 50th career game in round 12 against Sydney.

What they said:

“I felt like I was playing a lot more consistent footy throughout the first half of the year and I was finding a good balance and then unfortunately I got injured which was obviously disappointing.

“I’ve still got to try and take the positives away from when I played and what I need to improve on and obviously get the knee right.”

- Lin Jong, September 2017

Season in short

Even Lin Jong himself thought his season was over after going down with a broken collarbone in the second quarter of the Bulldogs’ elimination final against the West Coast Eagles in Perth.

After a slow start to the season, the 23-year-old had played 11 straight games, had consolidated himself in the senior side, and was coming off his best game of the season; a 28 disposal, four tackle display against Fremantle.

Remarkably, the tough as nails midfielder made it back to win the Norm Goss Medal for best afield in Footscray’s second premiership in three years.

Drafted with pick 9 in the 2011 Rookie Draft, Jong signed a two-year contract with the Club in October.

The stat that mattered

Played 16 AFL games in 2016, a career high.

What they said

“At the start of the year I was in and out of the side due to form but when I went back to the VFL I thought I played well and managed to get back in the side and play consistent games.

“Unfortunately the collarbone happened and that was a set-back, but to make it back in time for the VFL premiership… I definitely didn’t think that (was a possibility) when I broke it, and to be a VFL premiership player again is amazing.

“I’m looking forward to getting that good fitness base and have a really good preseason as opposed to last year, getting some k’s in my legs and just coming back and training really well..”

Season in short:

After a stellar VFL finals series in 2014, Lin Jong earned himself the nickname ‘Mr September’, in jest from his teammates.

Jong continued that form into the pre-season and started 2015 strongly, playing some of the best football of his short career.

He averaged 19 disposals in the first five rounds, before breaking his hand in round five against the Swans.

Incredibly, Jong played out the game, in a show of immense strength and courage from the midfielder.

While his form through the middle part of the season was hampered due to injury, the 22-year-old earned a call up for the elimination final against Adelaide, and was one of the side’s best, picking up 23 disposals, four marks, five tackles and a goal.

Stat that mattered:

Jong collected a career-high 24 disposals in round one against West Coast.

What they said:

“Twelve months ago it was a bit different to now… There’s been some improvements, there’s still a lot of improvement left to go. At the start of the year I was really happy with how I was going, then hit a bad patch of form so it was a bit disappointing but to come back in late into the side and to play in a final was really big for me.” – Lin Jong, September 2015

“He just hit the season running and in really good confirm and confidence. Then he broke his hand round five against Sydney and that probably just held him back a little bit, and he lost a bit of confidence, and he also had some issues with his groins a little bit but what was really impressive about Jongy was that he fought his way back.

“He played two really good finals. One at VFL level which got him the recall and then to see him on the bigger stage in front of a massive crowd, just to really contribute and be a really good player for us and just show that he believes now he belongs at this level. Jongy’s got all the attributes to make it as a really good player at the level so as long he believes that I think the foundations are there.” – Steven King (Western Bulldogs Assistant Coach), September 2015

Season in short:

Jong was elevated to the Dogs senior list at the end of 2014, after three years on the rookie list.

Jong impressed early in the year with competitive performances at AFL level, however spent the majority of the year in the VFL.

Jong found his form in the VFL final series, his best game came in the preliminary final with 28 touches, and he came close to best afield in the Dogs winning grand final side.

The stat that mattered:

Although only managing six games in the senior side in 2014, Jong averaged four tackles, showing hard attack on the footy and his competitive nature.

What they said:

“Lin started playing football as a 15-year-old, and has demonstrated some rapid improvement over that time, but most notably this year, under the guidance of our coaches and strong development program.

“Lin has genuine AFL attributes with his speed and power, and a real interest and drive in his own development.” – List Manager Jason McCartney following Jong’s elevation to the senior list.

Season in short:

Jong showed some signs of growth in 14 VFL matches in 2013, but it wasn’t the season he was hoping for. Unfortunately for the young utility , injuries hampered his senior opportunities and season as a whole. A leg fracture early in the year sidelined Jong for nine matches and a shoulder complaint late in the season also restricted his output.

What they said:

“You take it all for granted and now in training I am going to appreciate that, especially when other guys might be in rehab – I’m a better person for it.”

- Lin Jong while rehabilitating a leg injury

Beginning the season in VFL affiliate Williamstown’s reserves, the rookie elevation proved his worth early to progress through to the senior VFL side. He was given the ultimate chance making his senior debut in round 20 against Richmond and showed enough to play out the season. Racking up 24 disposals against Geelong in round 22 is a certain highlight for the young pup in his third senior game. He was solid for the day with six marks, three rebound 50s, four one percenters and one goal.

Season by Season

An athletic midfielder with a huge vertical leap. Played in several positions for the Oakleigh Chargers, including as a fill-in ruckman. Was named in the best eight times in his 14 appearances in 2011.